Appendix G
UCI EH&S INFORMATION ON RESPIRATORY PROTECTION
You have been identified as a respiratory protection user and are subject to all applicable
regulations and the UCI Respiratory Protection Program. This document is provided to
you to address the training elements in the program. The training covers:
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Why the respirator is necessary;
How improper fit, usage, or maintenance can compromise the protective effect
of the respirator;
How to inspect, don and doff, check the seals, and use of the respirator;
What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are;
How to use the respirator effectively in emergency situations, including
situations in which the respirator malfunctions;
What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the respirator;
How to recognize the medical signs and symptoms that may limit or prevent the
effective use of respirators
NECESSITY FOR RESPIRATOR USE
Information provided in the Respiratory Hazard Evaluation (RHE) determines the need for
respiratory protection. Respirator use may be driven by exposure or potential for
exposure to various substances, or its use may be required by an associated protocol. A
review of the RHE, the applicable Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), the exposure
limits, and any available monitoring results will enhance understanding of the need for
respirator use. The evaluation materials will be reviewed prior to your fit-test and training
session.
RESPIRATOR FIT, USAGE, AND MAINTENANCE
The protective effect of the respirator can be compromised if the respirator does not fit
properly, is not used correctly, or is not maintained appropriately. Proper fit is determined
during the fit testing. The fit test administrator will determine the type of fit testing,
whether qualitative or quantitative. Fit testing custom fits the respirator to you; as such,
you may only wear respirators to which you have been tested. In the case of disposable
respirators, you are custom fitted to the type, brand, and model. A change in the type,
brand, or model will then require a re-evaluation.
You are ultimately responsible for correctly using the respiratory protection. You will be
given instructions on how to inspect the equipment, how to don and doff, and how to
maintain it.
Proper fit, use, and maintenance of your respiratory equipment are important factors to
observe to ensure your continued protection from airborne contaminants.
RESPIRATOR INSPECTION, DONNING, DOFFING, SEAL CHECK, AND USE
During the respiratory protection fit test and training, you will be instructed on how to
inspect, don and doff, use, and check the seal of your respiratory protection equipment.
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Appendix G
Respiratory protection equipment must always be inspected prior to use. The following
inspection table highlights the key components of a respirator and the conditions that
would require repair before use:
INSPECTION TABLE
IF ANY OF THE DEFECTS LISTED BELOW ARE FOUND, HAVE THE RESPIRATOR REPAIRED
BEFORE USE.
COMPONENT
For Filtering Facepieces:
FACEPIECE
For Half-Face Assemblies:
FACEPIECE
LOOK FOR
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cuts, gouges, punctures,
Distortions of the sealing flange.
Tears or nicks in the sealing area.
Deterioration from age, heat, or
contamination.
5. If applicable, exhalation valve flaps are not
in place, in poor condition, and not secure.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Cuts, gouges, punctures,
Distortions of the sealing flange.
Tears or nicks in the sealing area.
Deterioration from age, heat, or
contamination.
5. Exhalation valve flaps are not in place, in
poor condition, and not secure.
For Full-Face Assemblies:
FACEPIECE LENS
FACEPIECE RIMS
FACEPIECE SKIRT
FACEPIECE HEADSTRAP
FACEPIECE BUCKLES
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1. Nicks, scratches, or abrasions which could
impair visibility.
2. Deep gouges or cracks which could reduce
impact resistance.
3. Anti-fog coating in need of replacement.
1. Deformed, cracked, or broken
2. Loose screws. Do not overtighten.
1. Cuts, gouges, or punctures.
2. Tears or nicks in the sealing area.
3. Deterioration from age, heat, or
contamination
1. Abrasions or nicks.
2. Deterioration from age, heat, or
contamination.
1. Crushed, bent, or corroded.
2. Damaged or loose rivets.
Appendix G
FACEPIECE INLET NOZZLE
SPEAKING DIAPHRAGM
1. Loose cover screws.
2. Heat or impact damage.
3. Nicks, cracks, or dents in the exhalation
valve seat.
4. Nicks, cracks, tears, or creases in the
exhalation valve.
5. Sticking exhalation valve. Exhale a few
times to test. The valve must be close after
each exhalation. Valves that fail to close
must be replaced.
1. Holes or tears. Do not remove to inspect
If no defects are found during the inspection, you may don the respiratory protection
equipment.
Donning the respirator. You must don the respirator before you enter the respirator use
area. To put on the respirator:
(Filtering Facepiece)
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Prestretch top and bottom straps before placing the respirator on your face.
Cup the respirator in your hand, with the nosepiece at your fingertips, allowing
the headbands to hang freely below your hand.
Remove your eyewear (if applicable). Position the respirator under your chin
with the nosepiece up. Pull the top strap over your head resting it high on the
top back of your head. Pull the bottom strap over your head and position it
around the neck below the ears.
If applicable, place your fingertips from both hands at the top of the metal
nosepiece. Using two hands, mold the nose area to the shape of your nose by
pushing inward while moving your fingertips down both sides of the nosepiece.
Pinching the nosepiece using one hand may result in improper fit and less
effective respirator performance.
Perform a User Seal Check.
(Half-face)
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Remove your eyewear (if applicable), then grasp the front of the respirator with
one hand and the upper headband with your other hand. Place the portion of
the facepiece containing the exhalation valve under your chin.
Position the narrow portion of the respirator on your nose bridge and place the
cradle suspension system on your head so that the top headband rests across
the top of your head and the bottom headband rests above your ears, on the
back of your head. Then hook the bottom headband behind your neck, below
your ears, and adjust the position of the facepiece on your face for best fit and
comfort.
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Appendix G
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The length of the headbands are adjustable; tighten or loosen by holding the
respirator body or headband yoke with one hand and pulling on the elastic
material in the appropriate direction with your other hand.
Position the facepiece so that the nose section rests as low on the bridge of
your nose as is comfortable, and tighten the upper headband on both sides just
tight enough so that the respirator doesn’t slide down on your nose. Do not
over tighten. If the respirator pinches your nose, loosen the upper headband
slightly.
Then, tighten the lower headband on both sides just tight enough to secure the
respirator under your chin. (For proper positioning and comfort, the upper
headband must be adjusted first, then the lower headband must be adjusted.)
Perform a User Seal Check.
(Full-face)
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Adjust all the facepiece head straps to their full outward position.
Remove your eyewear (if applicable). Grasp the head strap harness, and with
your thumbs through the straps, spread the straps outwards.
Push the harness top up your forehead, brushing your hair upward from the
seal areas. Continue up and over your head until the harness is centered at the
rear of your head, and your chin fits into the chin cup.
Make sure the facepiece is centered on your face and pull both lower head
straps at the same time toward the rear.
Tighten the two upper head straps.
If applicable, tighten the forehead head strap.
Perform a User Seal Check.
Doffing the respirator. You must doff the respirator outside the respirator use area. To
take off the respirator:
(Filtering Facepiece)
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Cup the respirator in your hand to maintain its position on your face.
Pull the bottom strap over your head.
Still holding the respirator in position, pull the top strap over your head and
remove the respirator.
(Half-face and Full-face)
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Loose the headbands and remove the facepiece.
User seal check. Perform a user seal check, either the negative and positive pressure
seal checks described below or those recommended by the respirator manufacturer.
Facepiece Positive Pressure Seal Check
Close off the exhalation valve and exhale gently into the facepiece. The face fit is
considered satisfactory if a slight positive pressure can be built up inside the facepiece
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Appendix G
without any evidence of outward leakage of air at the seal. For most respirators this
method of leak testing requires the wearer to first remove the exhalation valve cover
before closing off the exhalation valve and then carefully replacing it after the test.
Facepiece Negative Pressure Seal Check
Close off the inlet opening of the canister or cartridge(s) by covering with the palm of
your hand(s) or by replacing the filter seal(s), inhale gently sot that the facepiece
collapses slightly, and hold the breath for ten seconds. If the design of the inlet
opening of some cartridges cannot be effectively covered with the palm of the hand,
perform the test by covering the inlet opening of the cartridge with a thin latex or nitrile
glove. If the facepiece remains in its slightly collapsed condition and no inward
leakage or air is detected, the tightness of the respirator is considered satisfactory.
Proper use of the respirator. You must use the respirator as instructed and follow the
appropriate donning, doffing, and user seal check procedures. In addition, you must
observe the change schedule or End-Of-Service-Life Indicators for the air purifying
elements/cartridges and know the conditions when you need to evacuate an area.
RESPIRATOR LIMITATIONS and CAPABILITIES
All persons using respiratory protection must be made aware of its limitations.
facepiece must be worn and used as specified in these instructions.
This
Your respirator has been constructed of materials selected for their performance, safety,
and durability. However, all materials have exposure limitations to extremes of heat and
cold or to the many chemicals in use today, and could be degraded by exposure beyond
their limitations, creating conditions in which this equipment would be dangerous to use.
It cannot be predicted what will happen to this equipment in every potential environment.
Materials can be chemically attacked if exposed to the wrong environment and may
exhibit excessive corrosion or other forms of damage. Permeation of gases and liquids
through the materials could be excessive. Extremes of temperature might cause thermal
degradation. Do not use this respirator at temperatures below -30F (-1C) or above
130F (71C). Each of these things, or a combination of them, could create conditions in
which this equipment would be dangerous to use.
Before entering an environment while wearing the equipment, you must conduct safe,
scientific tests to determine if the environment could render the equipment unsafe.
Results of this testing should be well documented. Seek the help of EHS& personnel.
DO NOT USE this equipment if you would be endangered in any way through
environmentally induced degradation of the materials in the apparatus.
Do not use this respirator in environments where the concentrations of contaminants are
unknown, or where the atmosphere is immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH).
IDLH atmospheres are defined as:
 Those which the wearer could not breathe for short periods.
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Appendix G
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Those from which the wearer could not escape without the aid of the
respirator.
Those which have an immediate or delayed adverse effect on health.
When used as an air-purifying respirator, ONLY use this respirator with appropriate
cartridges/filters identified on the NIOSH approval label securely threaded onto the
facepiece. Always read cartridge labels prior to use to be certain that you have cartridges
and/or filters that will provide the required protection.
When used as an air-purifying respirator, this respirator does not supply oxygen and must
not be used in atmospheres containing less than 19.5% oxygen by volume.
This respirator does not protect exposed areas of the body. Some contaminants can be
reabsorbed directly through the skin while others may irritate exposed areas.
This respirator must not be used for abrasive blasting, underwater diving, or interior
structural firefighting.
Beards, stubble, or sideburns will prevent a good facepiece seal. Do not use this
respirator unless you are clean shaven. Absence of one or both dentures can seriously
affect the fit of the facepiece.
No respirator can provide complete protection from all conditions. Use extreme care for
emergency operations. Do not use this respirator for applications involving exposure to
high heat or direct flame.
Respirators, accessories, and associated equipment should not be used in atmospheres
which may contain contaminant concentrations above the lower explosive level (LEL).
Intrinsic safety certification of electronic components does not eliminate potential danger
from ignition in these atmospheres.
Limitations of Filtering Facepieces:
In the case of N-95 filtering facepiece, the respirator has at least 95% filtration efficiency
against solid and liquid aerosols that do not contain oil.
Do not use the filtering facepiece for paint spray, oil aerosols, gases, vapors, asbestos,
and sandblasting.
The filtering facepiece does not supply oxygen. Do not use in atmospheres containing
less than 19.5% oxygen by volume.
Do not use the filtering facepiece when concentrations of the contaminants are
immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH), are unknown, or when concentrations
exceed ten times the permissible exposure limit (PEL).
Do not alter, abuse, or misuse the filtering facepiece.
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Appendix G
Do not use with beards or other facial hair or other conditions that prevent a good seal
between the face and the edge of the filtering facepiece.
If the filtering facepiece becomes damaged, soiled, or breathing becomes difficult, leave
the respirator use area and dispose of the filtering facepiece.
FAILURE TO OBSERVE ALL WARNINGS MAY RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY,
SERIOUS ILLNESS, OR DEATH.
EFFECTIVE USE DURING ROUTINE OR IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
During routine situations, continue to use respiratory protection as directed.
During an emergency situation, you must respond calmly and immediately to ensure your
safety and minimize your exposure. An emergency situation can be equipment failure,
rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment that has potential for an uncontrolled
significant release of an airborne contaminant.
The response to such events will vary depending on the situation, but generally, you will
want to continue wearing your respiratory protection equipment until you have completely
exited from the respirator use area.
You must also leave the respirator use area when replacing the respiratory protection
equipment or any of its associated components.
MAINTENANCE AND STORAGE
Unless your respiratory protection equipment is disposable, your equipment must be
cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to be maintained in a sanitary condition.
Shared respiratory protection equipment must be cleaned and disinfected before being
worn by different individuals. Emergency use respiratory protection equipment must be
cleaned and disinfected after each use, as with respirators used in fit testing and training.
You will receive hands-on instruction on cleaning procedures during your fit test and
training session. You will learn to clean and disinfect the respiratory protection equipment
in accordance with the manufacturer literature that is provided to you during issue of
equipment; or you may also follow these procedures:
Procedures for Cleaning Respirators
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Remove filters, cartridges, or canisters. Disassemble the facepiece by removing
speaking diaphragms, demand and pressure-demand valve assemblies, hoses, or
any components recommended by the manufacturer. Discard or repair any
defective parts.
Wash components in warm (43 deg. C [110 deg. F] maximum) water with a mild
detergent or with a cleaner recommended by the manufacturer. A stiff bristle (not
wire) brush may be used to facilitate the removal of dirt.
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Appendix G
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Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm (43 deg. C [110 deg. F] maximum),
preferably running water. Drain.
When the cleaner used does not contain a disinfecting agent, respirator
components should be immersed for two minutes in one of the following:
o Hypochlorite solution (50 ppm of chlorine) made by adding approximately
one milliliter of laundry bleach to one liter of water at 43 deg. C (110 deg. F);
or,
o Aqueous solution of iodine (50 ppm iodine) made by adding approximately
0.8 milliliters of tincture of iodine (6-8 grams ammonium and/or potassium
iodide/100 cc of 45% alcohol) to one liter of water at 43 deg. C (110 deg. F);
or,
o Other commercially available cleansers of equivalent disinfectant quality
when used as directed, if their use is recommended or approved by the
respirator manufacturer.
Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm (43 deg. C [110 deg. F] maximum),
preferably running water. Drain. The importance of thorough rinsing cannot be
overemphasized. Detergents or disinfectants that dry on facepieces may result in
dermatitis. In addition, some disinfectants may cause deterioration of rubber or
corrosion of metal parts if not completely removed.
Components should be hand-dried with a clean lint-free cloth or air-dried.
Reassemble facepiece, replacing filters, cartridges, and canisters where
necessary.
Test the respirator to ensure that all components work properly.
Storage
Respiratory protection equipment must be stored in a clean, dry area, preferably away
from the respirator use area. Your facepiece must be kept in the storage bag provided to
you at the time of issue. Store the rubber and elastomeric parts in a manner which will
prevent them from taking an abnormal set. Store location must be away from excessive
heat, moisture, contaminating gaseous substances, or airborne particulates.
Medical Signs and Symptoms Affecting Respirator Use
Be alert to conditions which may affect the effective use of the respiratory protection
equipment during use. Immediately leave the respirator use area if:
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You taste or smell contaminants, or if your eyes, nose, or throat becomes
irritated.
Breathing becomes difficult.
The air you are breathing becomes uncomfortably warm.
You feel nauseous or dizzy.
Once outside of the respirator use area, doff the respirator, and then check if the medical
signs and symptoms persist. If the effects continue, you may need to seek medical
attention. If the effects cease, don the respirator, and then take a moment to assess that
the signs and symptoms do not recur before returning to the respirator use area.
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